From the Guidelines
To treat a blister, it is recommended to leave it intact if possible, as the skin provides a natural barrier against infection, and loosely cover it with a sterile dressing, as this improves healing and reduces pain 1. When treating a blister, it is essential to prioritize preventing infection and promoting healing.
- Clean the area gently with mild soap and water to prevent infection.
- Apply an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin or Polysporin to help prevent infection.
- Cover the blister with a sterile bandage to protect it from further irritation and infection. If the blister is large, painful, or in an area that receives pressure, it may be necessary to drain it.
- To do this safely, sterilize a needle with alcohol, make small holes at the blister's edge, gently press out fluid, apply antibiotic ointment, and cover with a bandage. However, for individuals with diabetes, it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider before self-treating blisters due to the increased risk of infection and foot ulcers, as pre-ulcerative lesions like blisters can be strong predictors of future ulceration 1.
- People with diabetes should seek immediate treatment from an appropriately trained healthcare professional for any pre-ulcerative lesions, including blisters, to help prevent foot ulcers. It is also important to note that blisters typically heal within 3-7 days as new skin forms underneath the damaged area, and seeking medical attention is necessary if signs of infection are noticed, such as increasing pain, redness, warmth, swelling, pus, or red streaks extending from the blister.
From the FDA Drug Label
Directions adults and children 2 years of age and older: clean the affected area apply a small amount of this product (an amount equal to the surface area of the tip of a finger) on the area 1 to 3 times daily may be covered with a sterile bandage children under 2 years of age: ask a doctor
The treatment for blisters is to clean the affected area and apply a small amount of bacitracin ointment. The ointment can be applied 1 to 3 times daily and may be covered with a sterile bandage 2.
From the Research
Blister Treatment Options
- Topical antibiotic ointments have been shown to be effective in treating blister wounds, with a triple antibiotic ointment (neomycin, polymyxin B, bacitracin) being particularly effective in promoting healing and eliminating bacterial contamination 3.
- The use of topical antibiotics, such as bacitracin zinc and neomycin sulfate, bacitracin zinc, and polymyxin B sulfate combination, has been found to result in significantly lower infection rates compared to a petrolatum control 4.
- A newly formulated topical triple-antibiotic ointment has been found to minimize scarring in dermabrasion wounds, with benefits particularly pronounced in its effect on pigmentary changes 5.
Key Findings
- The triple antibiotic ointment healed contaminated blister wounds significantly faster (mean nine days) than wounds treated with any antiseptic and those receiving no treatment 3.
- The wound infection rates for the treatment groups were: bacitracin zinc, 5.5%; neomycin sulfate, bacitracin zinc, and polymyxin B sulfate combination, 4.5%; silver sulfadiazine, 12.1%; and petrolatum, 17.6% 4.
- The triple-antibiotic ointment was superior to simple gauze-type dressing alone in minimizing the scarring observed in dermabrasion wounds 5.
Treatment Comparison
- Topical antibiotic ointments, such as the triple antibiotic ointment, have been found to be more effective than antiseptics and no treatment in promoting healing and eliminating bacterial contamination 3.
- The use of topical antibiotics, such as bacitracin zinc and neomycin sulfate, bacitracin zinc, and polymyxin B sulfate combination, has been found to be more effective than a petrolatum control in preventing infections 4.
- The triple-antibiotic ointment has been found to be more effective than a simple gauze-type dressing in minimizing scarring in dermabrasion wounds 5.